 |
Martha CooperAmerican photographer and photojournalist
Country:
 USA |
Content:
Biography of Martha Cooper
Martha Cooper is an American photographer and photojournalist known for her dedication to the art of photography and anthropology. She is most famous for her work documenting the New York graffiti scene during the 70s and 80s. Her photographs have been published in renowned publications such as National Geographic, Natural History, Audubon, and Art News.
Early Life and Education
Martha Cooper graduated from Grinnell College in 1963 and went on to teach English in Thailand as a volunteer for the Peace Corps. After two years of teaching, she embarked on a motorcycle journey from Bangkok to Oxford, covering a distance of over 20,000 km. It was during her time in Oxford that she developed an interest in ethnography and obtained a diploma in the field.
Career
In the late 1960s, Martha Cooper interned at National Geographic, gaining valuable experience in the field of photography. In the 1970s, she worked as a staff photographer for the New York Post. It was during this time that she discovered her passion for graffiti photography. A young artist named HE3 showed her his drawings while she was working on a series of photographs about children's games. Impressed by his talent, she decided to focus on photographing graffiti artwork.
Unlike most documentary photographers who aim to isolate their subjects and remove them from their context, Martha Cooper captured graffiti art within its environment. Her famous series of photographs depicting elevated subway lines often included the urban landscape surrounding the artwork. She also frequently photographed the artists themselves, often capturing them in the act of creating graffiti. Her close relationships with respected writers of that era, such as Dondi, Duro, and Lady Pink, allowed her to document many significant moments in the history of spray art.
Legacy
In 1983, Martha Cooper's photographs were featured in the documentary film "Style Wars." The film showcased the vibrant graffiti culture of New York City and the influential role played by Cooper's photographs. In 1984, she collaborated with Henry Chalfant to publish the book "Subway Art." This groundbreaking book was one of the first to delve into the subculture of graffiti, providing a comprehensive history along with descriptions of terms and slang. Over the years, the book has been reprinted multiple times in various countries, solidifying Martha Cooper's status as a leading authority on graffiti art.
Martha Cooper continues to contribute to the world of photography and is recognized as a pioneer in documenting the graffiti movement. Her work has left an indelible mark on the art world and has contributed to the preservation of an important cultural phenomenon.
